Blog Archives

So, I was gonna say something about a lot of what I’m going to talk about here a while ago. However, because my proofreader, N. Harmonik, doesn’t like spoilers and refuses to watch subtitled episodes of shows that have an official English dub, I opted not to. But now, because of something else that’s come up that’s related to it, which I will also address, I’ve decided to just go ahead and get my thoughts out for everyone to hear, and just not have it be proofread. I suppose I could’ve found someone else to tag in for this one article, but I opted not to on the grounds that it might be kinda funny to just let this go through as is. So, enjoy reading my rant without a grammar and spelling filter, and feel free to point out all the ways I messed up later. ^_^

Anyway, you’ll recall that three years ago, almost to the DAY, I announced that I came to the realization that I hated the Pokémon anime and I was officially divorcing it. Now, here’s the thing: While I don’t actively watch it anymore, I AM aware of some of the stuff that happens on the show, and I DID watch a few of the new episodes, particularly the Kalos League Conference. In fact, I will go so far as to admit that I decided, if Ash had beaten Alain and won the Kalos League, regardless of what happened afterward, I would go back and rewatch everything I missed from when I stopped watching the show. I was very entertained by the Kalos League. And, as an aside, I really like the Japanese theme, XY&Z. I thought it was great… … …and then they fucked up. Which, let’s be honest, isn’t that just the story of this show for the past several years?

So, obviously, the big way they fucked up was that Ash lost in the finals. Now, my thinking of why Ash should’ve won was because, as far as I can tell, there are no more Gyms in Sun & Moon, so this was pretty much his last chance to win a League Conference. Also, this would be a great year to do it. It’s the 20th Anniversary of the original games, and the 19th Anniversary of the anime, meaning we could see a big change going into the 20th Anniversary of the show to shake things up. In addition, looking at what happened in hindsight, from a narrative perspective, it would make far more sense for Ash to win and then find himself facing off against Team Flare. But, to be frank, that’s not the reason a lot of people wanted to see him win. They wanted to see him win because they were tired of 19 years of Ash LOSING. And what happened? He lost again.

Now, with all of that said, when everyone else was reacting in sheer rage and anger, I have to admit to feeling a degree of desire to troll these people. Why? Because they were saying stuff like “The anime is officially dead” and “Gary was right all along, Ash really IS a loser”, and so on. And I began to laugh my fat ass off, because these people are only JUST NOW reaching the same conclusions I did three years ago. The anime has been dead for a LONG time now, people. It only continues to exist as a means to advertise the games, and even then, it does a piss-poor job of it a lot of the time. And frankly, people are pissed about this loss, but I gotta level with you all: This is NOT the worst thing the anime has ever done. It FEELS like it because of the timing and just how long this has gone on, but it’s not. Alain beating Ash? I don’t agree with it, but they were close enough matched that I could see it happening, and I do actually care a smidgen about Alain as a character. Now, compare to Tobias, who had no real story or personality to speak of and existed specifically for the sole purpose of making sure Ash lost. In fact, not only did Tobias beat Ash, he then went on to defeat his last opponent in the finals with even less difficulty, meaning Ash surely would’ve won the Sinnoh League Conference had Tobias never shown up. So no, comparatively, Ash losing to Alain in a REALLY close, hard-fought match that pushed both to give their best is not even close to being as bad as what happened with Tobias. Also, as a side note, when it comes to the whole Gary thing, if Ash really IS a loser, Ash actually surpassed Gary YEARS ago, so what does that make him?

So, I guess what I’m saying is that the Kalos League Conference didn’t piss me off so much as it left me disappointed, because it was good and it could’ve been great. And I will admit that everything that happened with Team Flare afterward was pretty dire and gripping, even if you knew going in that Team Flare was going to lose. That said, it comes off as kind of dumb that Lysandre can take on both of the Kalos League finalists 2-on-1. It’s like, why didn’t HE enter the tournament in that case? But no, I wasn’t pissed off by that… … …No, I was pissed off by what happened today in the anime.

Before I get into that, though, I wanna explain my idea of what they could’ve done for Sun & Moon. My idea was, to shake up the status quo a bit, to have Pikachu get sick before Ash is about to go to Alola. It’s not life threatening or anything like that, and he will recover, but Ash will need to postpone his trip if he wants to stay with his buddy while he recovers. However, Pikachu insists that Ash go and that he’ll catch up to him as soon as he can, and until then, Greninja is volunteering to go with Ash to Alola. So Ash goes, and then, after a few Trials, he manages to obtain a Z-Ring with the Electrium Z inserted. Then Pikachu recovers, rejoins the team, and has his brand new Z-Move to boot.

Now, spoilers for anyone who hasn’t seen today’s episode, that is most definitely not going to happen. Why? Because Greninja, who I consider to be the best Water-type Pokémon that Ash has ever had on his team, who possesses one of the best win-loss records of any Pokémon Ash has ever had, who has a special transformation technique exclusive to itself that makes the bond between it and Ash into a whole new kind of power, and who will likely go down in history as one of the all-time best main character Pokémon of the entire anime, was RELEASED. And what’s astounding to me is that this is a move where the writers should’ve known going in that this was going to piss people off, because they’ve done it before and it’s almost ALWAYS resulted in a negative reaction from the fans, but they did it anyway because they’re FOOLS.

So, let’s get some arguments for this decision out of the way, because I know some people are gonna debate this. First off, Ash is not getting Greninja back, and if he is, it’ll only be a short-term thing. Name a single time he’s ever released (not put in training, not sent to Professor Oak’s, but RELEASED) a Pokémon that he then got back full-time. The answer is ZERO. Speaking of, I probably SHOULD be pissed that Goodra went back to the wetlands, but I knew going into the Kalos League Conference that Goodra was only back short-term, so it doesn’t really bother me as much. It’s still dumb, but whatever. Secondly, I know the reason he left was to protect Kalos. It’s still stupid. How come? Because its best technique in combat was its ability to become Ash-Greninja, and it CANNOT DO THAT ALONE. And third, with Ash going to Alola with just Pikachu, simply leaving Greninja at Professor Oak’s would make zero sense, so they had to come up with a reason why Greninja physically could not come. I reply to such argument as follows: Not only is it still a stupid reason because of stuff I just said, but it’s also inserted for the SPECIFIC INTENTION OF MAKING ASH WEAKER, when all we’ve wanted for 19 years was for Ash to finally WIN!

And now I gotta address where we’re going with the anime: Sun & Moon. A DRASTIC change to the anime style. Not a BAD one, I wanna make that clear, but a pretty drastic one. No more Gyms as far as I can tell, meaning no League to challenge, meaning this will make for a very different season. Ash going to SCHOOL, of all things. And, one positive I can give, Ash getting a Z-Ring. Honestly, I like that, since it was odd to me that Ash missed out on gaining a Mega Ring, especially he had a few different Pokémon who could Mega Evolve, one of which had JUST RETURNED TO HIS TEAM PREVIOUSLY.

Now, there are people bashing on the premise and the art style and just how different the Sun & Moon arc looks. I wanna make something clear: None of those things bothers me all that much. A new art style? Hey, it helps give this season its own identity and furthers to distinguish it from the past few seasons. Same thing with the new premise. Hell, I don’t even mind the school setting all that much. Sure, it seems like an odd thing to go with for the long-term when we’ve already seen the main characters going to schools as part of short-term story arcs, but it could world. Think of the potential world-building this could do by focusing on that. None of that bothers me. What bothers me, and what ultimately breaks this deal with me, is that the main protagonist is STILL ASH FUCKING KETCHUM! And what’s worse, not only is he now going back to school after 19 years of losing, but now, with the new art style, he actually looks YOUNGER. So now, all these factors I just praised as being a help to this series now instead hinder it, all because of Ash’s presence as the main character. For fuck’s sake, writers, you didn’t even have to outright get rid of him, either! You could’ve instead have him brought on as a teacher (or teacher’s aide), and have him bestow some wisdom on young Trainers getting started with their new lives. You could’ve had him reflect on his life and his decisions throughout the anime while teaching these kids. You could’ve even justified his continued losses by having him explain that, even after losing the League Conferences over and over, it still helped to hone him as a person and a Trainer, and have him even realize that he’s now exactly the type of person these kids can relate to. Give us some Goddamn character development! You realize that Ash is still basically the exact same little twit he’s been for YEARS now?!

It’s at this point I have to address the simple truth of the matter: This show only exists because it has the Pokémon name attached to it. If this was any other property, I guarantee this show would not last 19 years. It’s just not possible. And to everyone just now getting pissed off, I say this to you all: You are several years late to the party, but you are welcome nonetheless, because something has got to be done about this show. At this point, there is only one way to salvage Ash as a character, and that is to reboot him back to square one. Everything we’ve seen of him up until this point? Never happened. He’s a brand new character and doesn’t have any of the baggage of his previous journeys. This way, you can build him back up to where he can eventually achieve what he originally set out to do: To be the best like no one ever was. But unless enough people actually start voicing this opinions and explaining how and why the show needs to improve, nothing is ever going to change. Ash will continue to be the main protagonist, and will continue to be a Goddamn loser.

And you wanna know what the saddest part of all of this is? When Ash lost the Kalos League, I asked myself “Why do I still care? Why am I STILL ranting about this fucking show? Why am I not just 100% apathetic towards it?” Well, the answer is simple: Because I want to watch a GOOD Pokémon show. I see what this show has done in the past, is doing in the present, and could do in the future, and I see how much potential it has. This show could be so much better and still work as an ad for the games with even the SLIGHTEST bit of effort. But that’s not what we get. For years, it is consistently not what we get. When this show started, it had something the games at the time were lacking: Real story. Characters we care a lot about. Back then, the games didn’t really have the best stories. Now, however, we’ve clearly hit the switch. The games now have better story and writing, whereas the anime, for all intents and purposes, is still in the same position it’s been in for years. And no matter what you have to say about that position, my opinion remains that it could be better, and it honestly feels somedays like the writers of this show have gone out of their way to ensure it doesn’t.

Anyway, that’s my thoughts on the product as of now. What do you all think of this, though? Lemme know in the comments below, and hey, remember that the main anime is not the only Pokémon related story out there. You don’t HAVE to watch it. In fact, I think if everyone stopped watching it, watched the specials like Origins and Generations, played the games more, read the manga more, etc., it might even help move things along. Ja né!

Well, N. Harmonik and I were having our weekly hang out yesterday, and wouldn’t you know it? Episodes 1 & 2 of Pokémon Generations came out! So, if you haven’t watched them already, do so here…

…and now, our blind reactions to the first two episodes of this show. ^_^

…Say…We’ve now reached 899 blog entries on this site, haven’t we? As such, next time will be our 900th, and… … …Meh, what the hell. Next time, Jyger’s Favourite 5 episodes of my new favourite cartoon, Steven Universe. Ja né!

…Yeah, I know I’m asking for it with this one, but I don’t care. lol Seriously, is it just me? Am I the only one bothered by this, or even noticing of this? It just feels like the women in Pokémon are continuously growing more and more blatantly meant to attract teenage boys (and some girls) as time goes by. As you all know, I first really took notice of this with Elesa, but it feels like it only continues to grow in terms of being a thing. Now, of course, I don’t wanna pin ALL the blame on the creators. I mean, some of this is due to certain artwork on the internet being made into memes…

And the anime providing certain gif-worthy moments…

Actually, the anime in general has always been known for some risqué moments…

And then there’s certain animations in the games…

And a few of the newer designs…

Not to say that some of the older ones weren’t…well…

… … … …Yeah, I can’t even remember what my train of thought was anymore. YOU SEE MY PROBLEM?!?! lol Anyway, I guess I’m just looking for your thoughts on the matter. Do you think this is something that has become progressively more apparent over time, or has it always been like this and I’m just noticing? Is it inherently bad, or is it ultimately harmless? Lemme know in the comments section, and…I guess we’ll just see what everyone thinks. Ja né!

So, a couple of years ago, I posted an article about how I would personally remake Pokémon Yellow, detailing all the ways it could be done easily using Generation V mechanics… … …and then, the very next day, Pokémon X & Y were revealed. How this happened, I have no idea. My only guess is that Nintendo has a camera set up in my brain to keep a constant track of my thoughts. It would certainly explain how the trailer for Pokémon GO clearly resembled dreams I used to have of how Pokémon would look in real life. But yeah, because next year is the 20th Anniversary of Pokémon, I’ve decided to update how I’d remake Yellow Version, AKA the Special Pikachu Edition, in the current generation. As such, some of these are gonna be repeated from last time, so just bear with me…

#1 – Generation VI Mechanics

Basically, this includes the current type charts, movepools, battle styles and mechanics, and, of course, Mega Evolution. In other words, this version of Pokémon Yellow would take place in the same universe as XYORAS. And speaking of stuff you can do in this generation, especially as it pertains to the mascot of this game…

#2 – Include Cosplay Pikachu

Because why not? Hell, you could even build on the concept by including more costumes it can wear with more moves it can learn, making it so it can be either gender, and having the costumes become available to you in different towns and cities. You could even bring back Surfing Pikachu and Balloon Pikachu by making them costumes. And hey, since we brought up the costumes…

#3 – Include Pokémon Contests

Again, why not? The anime already put Contest Halls in the Kanto Region, so why not include them in this game? After all, we already brought Contests back for ORAS. Might as well take advantage of that.

#4 – Use HGSS’ System For Pokémon Following You

As I stated before, Pikachu being outside the ball for the duration of the journey is a must. As such, what I’d do is tweak the system from HeartGold/SoulSilver so that the one that follows you is always Pikachu… … …unless you box it, of course. I’d also bring back the little pictures from Pokémon Yellow, and include a few more, like maybe it making its elastic faces from the show. Lastly, I’d make a special change to the bicycle in case Pikachu is in the party: A little basket in the front for it to ride in. XD

#5 – Update the Regional Dex

Again, the Pokémon found would obviously include all the original 151, that’s a given. However, rather than force you to gain the National Dex, I think I’d toss in the other Pokémon that evolve to and from the original batch. Speaking of evolving, though…

#6 – New Mega Evolutions

It just seems like the time to make a couple more Gen 1 Pokémon Mega Evolve. Specifically, I’d like to see Butterfree get one so it can keep up with Beedrill. I just find it odd that it didn’t get it in the first place.

#7 – Side-quests Galore, In Particular With Misty and Brock

Seriously, I would include tons of side-quests. Stuff you don’t HAVE to do, but are fun, rewarding, and add to the experience of the game. Stuff like the Contests Halls I mentioned earlier, or perhaps new ways to include Move Tutors, by having the new moves be rewards for helping people out. I also think that some would involve Brock and Misty, since they follow Ash in the original series. Maybe even a series of events where you can actually date Misty or Brock, depending on which gender you play as. And speaking of…

#8 – Remodel Female Protagonist To Look Like Ashley

… … …Because it’d be too damned funny, okay? XD With that said, if you don’t like that idea…

#9 – Bring Back The Clothing Options From X & Y

I don’t understand why this was left out of ORAS. It really makes me worry that it was an XY thing only, and I don’t want it to be. And, of course, since a lot of Yellow is based off the anime, I’m thinking there could be new clothing options based on clothes and costumes worn throughout it.

#10 – Cameos from the Characters Of the Day

I know that a few Trainers you run into have had their dialogue and teams altered in Yellow Version to better resemble the characters of the day from the original series, but making their appearances a bit closer and just including a lot more of them would be sweet. And speaking of trainers from the show…

#11 – Adjusted Teams For Gym Leaders And Other Important Characters

For those that have always wondered about this, allow me to explain: Pokémon Yellow was released before the original run of the series, AKA the Kanto League, was finished. As such, not everyone in the games that were also in the anime have the same teams. In particular, Blaine’s team in the game bears little to no resemblance to his anime team. Granted, I have no idea what Rhydon was doing on the team in the anime anyway, but no reason to leave out Magmar. Also, what is going on with Gary’s team in the game? And yes, I call him Gary in the Yellow Version, since he’s very clearly supposed to be Gary and not Blue. Just saying, a few modifications are probably necessary. Perhaps Gary’s Eevee could become Umbreon, and then he could also catch a Starter Pokémon based on the same pre-requisites as was necessary to determine what Eevee would evolve into (so if you lost/skipped both of the first battles with him, he’d get Squirtle, if you won one and then lost/skipped the other, he’d get Charmander, and if you beat him both times, he’d get Bulbasaur).

#12 – The Sevii Islands & The Orange Crew

Getting back to stuff you don’t have to do but make for neat additions, since the Sevii Islands were already in FRLG, I’d just go with them instead of the Orange Islands from the anime. Still, I would also include the Orange Crew as boss trainers you can battle. Though, I might wanna change Drake’s name since there’s already a Drake in the games. Maybe something like Arthur or Ryu, or his Japanese name, Yuji.

#13 – More Battles With Jessie and James

Seriously, these two appeared in damned near every episode of the original series. You know how many times you battled them in the game? Four. THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE. lol Also, Meowth could be fully fleshed out as a character, Team Rocket could be battled in Double Battles instead of Single, and a few more of their Pokémon that they caught could be added to their in-game roster.

#14 – Include The Pokémon World Tournament

Because this mode was FREAKING AWESOME. Being able to battle against other Gym Leaders and Champions from other games is a sweet idea. Plus, you could include other characters that have appeared in the anime since the original series, like Paul, Tyson, Tobias, Virgil, Harrison, and more. Also, just to be cute (and to troll people), I’d replace Red with Ritchie. XD

Remember me, assholes? >:)

And that’s all I have in mind for now. Leave your comments and any ideas of what you’d do with the game or any other Pokémon games you’d remake. Ja né!

So, in the newest chapter of my Digimon fic, which you can read here, I acknowledged the existence of more kids with Digimon partners. In fact, in the next chapter, we’ll be seeing two more kids join the team. As such, here’s an early preview of these new kids:

…Yeah, my silhouettes could use work. lol Anyway, without giving too much away, one of the kids will have a Digimon partner never before seen on the show and only appeared in Japan-only video games, and the other will use an old classic favourite to many. So, yeah, either way, plenty of people are in for a treat.

Anyway, lemme know what you think of the fic thus far, and if there’s any favourite Digimon of your own that you’d like to see make appearances in the future. Ja né!

So, I thought since my Digimon fic is making progress that I’d post an early preview of Chapter 3. Enjoy!

“WOULD YOU TWO KNOCK IT OFF?!” the two heard a rather terrifying voice boom out, looking to the edge of the roof to see Neilina standing there with a vein in her forehead threatening to turn into a bolt of lightning, Lopmon perched nervously on her shoulders. “Seriously, you’re both lucky your little fight is in an abandoned part of town!”

The two boys quickly parted, turning away from each other in a huff as Neilina sighed in exasperation. “Look, we’ve got enough to worry about without fighting with each other. I suggest the two of you stop bickering like children and focus more of that energy on fighting Digimon crossing into our world.”

“Sorry, but I do things my own way,” Yuji commented. “Besides, you want kids who will do what you tell them? There’s plenty more of us around town.”

Satoshi’s eyes widened a bit in shock. “There are?”

“What, did you think you were the first kid she gave a Digivice to?” Yuji scoffed. “Sorry to burst your bubble, ‘Goggle Boy’, but you’re really not that special. Neilina’s been recruiting for, what, at least a few months? Gotta be about a half a dozen of us by now.”

Satoshi’s jaw dropped for a second, but he quickly recomposed himself. “If that’s true, then we need to get everyone together to take down the Digimon coming over!”

“They’re not ready,” Neilina interjected, looking away. “Some of them don’t want to fight, and others are…doing other things right now.”

“…’Doing other things’?” Satoshi inquired, confused.

Yuji shrugged, walking away. “Gotta say, Neilina, you’re not very good at this whole child-soldier-recruitment thing…”

Lopmon practically stared a hole through Yuji at this comment. “Neilina is NOT recruiting child soldiers!”

“It’s an army of children!” Yuji retorted as he stopped walking, a small crackle of energy running through his Digivice. “That’s pretty much the exact definition of child soldiers!”

“You make it sound like they don’t have a choice, though!” Neilina argued, the screen of her Digivice DM going to static for a moment.

“Oh, please!” Yuji growled, looking suddenly furious. “You handed v-pets out willy nilly, never once telling the people you were giving them to what they were getting into! Then, AFTER they’re already linked to a Digimon, you give a little speech about how they need to help, and like puppets on strings, they do as they’re told!”

“I AM NOT A PUPPET!” Satoshi shouted, not noticing a small spark leave his Digivice.

“And another thing, at least I’m TRYING to help out instead of just running around being a jerk!” Satoshi ranted.

“Yeah, ‘cuz that’s ALL I do!” Yuji roared, getting face-to-face with Satoshi again. “I don’t try to help people, I don’t stop Digimon that pass between worlds, I just run around giving wedgies all day!”

“Both of you, time out!” Neilina yelled, slapping hands on both of them.

“BUTT OUT!” Satoshi and Yuji shouted, just as all three Digivices suddenly released a mass of energy that knocked the kids to the ground.

Satoshi groaned, grabbing his head as he sat up. Looking up in the air, he watched in horror as the sky itself suddenly had a small tear ripped into it, releasing gusts of wind that pushed at the three kids and their Digimon. Within moments, not one but three figures began to emerge from it, all looking to be small, stout, ogre-like Digimon of varying colours.

“…Okay, THAT one’s on us,” Neilina muttered with a gulp.

And that’s all for now. Lemme know what you think in the comments, click the logo below to read what I’ve got so far, and also let me know if there are any other Digimon you’d like to see in future chapters. Ja né!

…So, I may be pushing Power Rangers Guardians of Gaia back a little. Why? Well, because when I get into a franchise again, I tend to get into it so much that I become a bit single-minded on it. What I’m saying is…I started a Digimon fic. 😛

It is entitled Digimon Adventure DM, and, much like a lot of versions of Digimon shows, games, and manga, takes place in its own continuity. It’s actually an idea I’ve had bouncing around for a few years now, and I’m happy to see that I’ve finally found the time to make it happen. The Digimon presented will be a balance between the old, the new, the rarely seen on the show, and some that are completely made up. Also, while it mostly sticks to the English translations of the show and the terminology used there, because some of the translations don’t make much sense, and because some Digimon, their names, and their attack names have MULTIPLE translations, the names that I’ve chosen to use might not seem to have much of a pattern to them, but don’t worry too much about it. I’ll also be posting bios of the characters in the fic to Deviant Art, and I’ve already done so with the main lead, so feel free to click the image below to read more about him.

Anyway, the main thing I wanted to talk about here is that, while I have an idea of the general story I want to tell, and have already decided on the Digimon the kids in this story will use, I’m more than open to suggestions of Digimon that can appear as enemies in the story. Now, I can’t guarantee that every Digimon that is suggested will make an appearance, but I’ll certainly take each and every suggestion under advisement, and I might even be willing to credit those who make certain requests in the Author’s Notes at the end of a chapter. As such, feel free to post requests in the comments section below.

So yeah, that’s all there is to this. Be sure to check out the story if you’re a Digimon fan, and lemme know what you think of it. Ja né!

So, to finish up my current Digimon kick, I thought I’d ask everyone who reads my articles the obvious question: Who would your partner Digimon be? You can also add information, like what its various forms would be, what kind of Digivice you’d use, and so on. And if you need help, you can go on Wikimon, they have every Digimon and who they can Digivolve to and from (though for English fans, you might wanna know ahead of time that each Digimon is listed primarily by their Japanese names, but you can still find them by their English names just fine). For example, let’s say I chose Agumon as my partner. His forms would probably be as follows: